PRESS RELEASE

Return Call Telephone Scam
Alert

A telephone scam that
has been around for many years has appeared
again. This scam involves returning calls to the
268, 809, 284 and 876 area codes that originate
from Antigua,
Jamaica
or another
Caribbean island.

Sometimes it
just appears as a missed call, also known as a
"one-ring scam." Other times, the caller leaves
a message on your answering machine, gives their
first name and leaves a message such as "Sorry I
missed your call... please call me back I have
something important to tell you." The reasons
you are asked to call back vary and can include
such things as a family member is ill, someone
has been arrested, died or to let you know you
have won a prize.

The overseas
area codes can be used as pay-per-call numbers,
similar to the more familiar 900 numbers.
Consumers that have returned the calls have
reported being charged a $19.95 connection fee
and an additional $9 per minute.

The practice of
third parties placing unauthorized charges on
wireless accounts is called "cramming." If you
dont recognize an out-of-state telephone number
on your caller ID, ignore it, and if you do
answer, do not call back.

If you think you've
received a call from a potential scammer,
immediately report it to your telephone or
cellular provider.

On November 5th, Samantha Rae Clark, 37, was booked
into the Highlands County Jail on charges of
burglary to an emergency vehicle and grand theft of
medical supplies.

On October 20, 2013, Lake Placid Po...lice
Officer Stuart Troutman responded to the Highlands
County Emergency Medical Services station in regards
to a burglary to an ambulance at the station.
Employees discovered a large medical box had been
removed from the ambulance sometime between midnight
and 6am.

Through the investigative process, law enforcement
gathered evidence to support Clark was the
individual who committed the offense. Investigators
spoke with Clark who later admitted to stealing the
medical equipment from the ambulance.

Man arrested for DUI

Driving intoxicated is very serious and very
dangerous. It is one of the most irresponsible
crimes a person can willingly involve themselves
in. If you are arrested for DUI in Lake Placid,
plan to have your face placed for all to see. No
on...e
can afford to have a loved one killed due to
someone elses ignorance.

On November 6th, the Lake Placid Police
Department arrested 19 year old Matthew Lawrence
Burke after locating several points of damage
along Hillcrest Ave including a damaged utility
pole, signs, and various pieces of a suspect
vehicle. Officer Stuart Troutman followed the
trail of destruction where he soon came across
Burke at his nearby residence. Burke was
arrested and citied for:

*No Valid drivers license
*Leaving the scene of a traffic accident with
damage
*No proof of insurance
*Careless driving
*Driving under the influence of drug/alcohol
with property damage

Property damage is in excess of $5,000.

Gov. Scott: Crime In Florida Down For First Half of
2013

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, during a meeting with
Governor Scott and the Florida Cabinet,Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey
today released the 2013 Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report. The report
shows Florida’s crime
volume dropped 5.2 percent compared to the first six months of 2012.

Governor Scott said, “Our communities are on a
path to a 43 year crime low, which improves the quality of life for
families and benefits all aspects of our communities. This 5.2 percent
drop in crime sends a signal to the rest of the world that
Florida
is a great place to find opportunities and a raise a family. We’ll
continue working in close partnership with law enforcement officials to
make Florida
communities even safer.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said,
"Our hardworking, selfless law enforcement officers have continued to
make Florida a safer place
for residents and visitors. In 2012, Florida's
crime rate was at a 42-year low, and today's semi-annual report shows
that our crime rate is continuing this downward trend. As we enjoy safer
communities in which to live, work, and raise our families, let us
always keep the law enforcement officers who have died in the line of
duty in our thoughts and prayers."

According to the report, the number
of violent crimes (murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated
assault) was down by 3.5 percent. The report showed a 10.6 percent drop
in murders, a 2 percent decrease in robberies and a 4.2 percent decrease
in aggravated assault. Non-violent crime (burglary, larceny and motor
vehicle theft) fell 5.5 percent. Burglary and larceny are down 9.5
percent and 3.7 percent respectively. The number of motor vehicle thefts
decreased by 9.6 percent.

“These numbers reflect historic
lows,” said FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey.“Law enforcement is working hard to make
Florida
a safe place to live, work and play.”

Domestic violence offenses continued
to decline in the first half of 2013, showing a 1.7 percent drop when
compared to the first half of 2012. Cohabitants continue to be the
largest group of victims in this category, with spouses remaining the
second largest group.

The
report also contains information on officers killed feloniously. One law
enforcement officer died from criminal causes and one law enforcement
officer died from accidental causes while on duty during the first half
of 2013.

“The results of the 2013 Semi-Annual
Crime Report are testimony to the dedication and hard work of deputy
sheriffs and law enforcement officers all over the state and the
effectiveness of sending deserving criminals to prison, and keeping them
away from innocent victims,” said Polk County Sheriff and FSA President
Grady Judd. “The Florida Sheriffs Task Force is one way we make a
difference, most recently with our four-week long Operation Safe
Families, which resulted in 5,544 arrests targeting domestic violence to
help keep our children and families safe.”

“It is encouraging to see decreases
in every crime category,” said Florida Police Chiefs Association
President Springfield Chief Philip Thorne.“Keeping our communities safe is the top priority of police
chiefs across Florida and
we are seeing the results of our efforts.”

“We are pleased to see that overall
domestic violence crimes declined slightly the first six months of 2013
and look forward to continuing to work with our partners in the law
enforcement community to keep domestic violence survivors and their
children safe and hold perpetrators accountable,” said Florida Coalition
Against Domestic Violence President and CEO Tiffany Carr.

The complete 2013 Semi-Annual
Uniform Crime Report, including county-by-county breakdowns, can be
found on FDLE’s website at www.fdle.state.fl.us/fsac/ucr/. FDLE began
tracking crime statistics in 1971

The Driver Self Report of Traffic Crash Form is
now available On-line

In accordance with Florida Statute
316.066(1)(e), drivers involved in a crash which does not warrant a law
enforcement report are required to submit a written report to the
department within 10 days of the crash. The Florida Department of
Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is pleased to announce the
availability of a new service to Florida’s citizens and in partnership
with Appriss, our official crash records vendor, the Department has
developed an easier, more efficient means for citizens to submit a
Driver Report of Traffic Crash form. It can now be done online. If the
crash meets the following criteria, the driver may complete the Driver
Self Report of Traffic Crash form, in lieu of having a crash report
completed by the appropriate law enforcement agency:
 No injuries resulted from the crash (no report of pain or discomfort
or visible injuries)
 No vehicle involved in the crash required a wrecker
 The crash did not involve (an intoxicated driver)
 The crash did not involve a "hit and run" vehicle (all vehicles
involved must have been occupied)
 The crash did not involve a commercial motor vehicle. Now drivers can
save time and postage by completing the form online at:
https://firesportal.com/Pages/Public/selfreport.aspx

The simple-to-use online questionnaire will guide you or the driver
through the completion of the report. Once completed, a copy of the
Driver Self Report of Traffic Crash can be saved or printed for the
driver’s record keeping convenience. It’s fast, simple to use, and the
on-line process eliminates paperwork for the officer on scene.
If a crash which includes any of the following, the self-reporting
option DOES NOT apply:
 Any driver, occupant, pedestrian or pedal cyclist that indicates pain
or discomfort or is visibly injured
 Any crash that renders any involved vehicle inoperable
 Any crash that involves a commercial motor vehicle
Involved parties must, by the quickest means of communication, give
notice of the crash to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
If you have any questions concerning this new form, please contact local
law enforcement in your area.